BACTERIOPHAGES: DEADLIEST BEINGS ON EARTH. FRIEND OR FOE?

What Are bacteriophages?

Bacteriophages or phages are viruses. Years ago, we fought against them. Today, we are working to see if they can help us. But they are the deadliest beings on Earth. That brings to my mind, are they friend or foe?

The Facts

Phages are neither alive nor dead. Their appearance make them look like someone made them. Its head is an icosahedron with 20 sides and 30 edges. All its DNA is in its head. The head sits on a long “tail” with fiber legs. I think this means that the head is technically the body. It’s the most populated being on Earth.In the olden days, even a tiny sickness could kill us. Bacteria are sicknesses (as you know) therefore it was greatly feared. Oopsie! There was no war against phages! Anyways where was I? Oh yeah! Aack! I forgot! Again!There are billions of phages living on your arms, intestines, and eyelids. That might make you nervous, but they only eat bacteria! Ok. Back to the story. Later, when we evolved, we created a weapon (antibiotics) that stopped bacteria! Then, we became less and less scared. We also used it more and more. By then, only old people died from bacteria. But bacteria evolved. We created something dangerous "The superbug". Fortunately, we found a solution in phages. Once sutemonos oreganosa had infected a man’s chest cavity. Sutemonos oreganosa is the most feared bacteria. Anyway, phages cured him. Right now phages are fighting against bacteria and are winning. Even thought bacteria can evolve, so can phages. The problem is, pharmacies are reluctant to try them.

Phages-Friend Or Foe?

Remember how I asked whether they’re friend or foe. Well, they’re friends! There are 2 pieces of evidence that say that. Arrgh! I forgot to tell one piece of evidence! We are immune to them! The second piece is that they can stop the superbug like I showed with sutemonos oreganosa. The superbug is spreading as you read this! Also if bad bacteria wants to be phage-resistant they have to give up their resistance to antibiotics. Antibiotics also has a flaw. It kills bad bacteria, and good bacteria!

The Ending

So all in all, phages are good viruses. Maybe they will help us now or in the future. Who knows? Perhaps phages will be forgotten. Well, see you guys! Don’t forget to keep a lookout

for my next article, Jupiter!

References:

1. Kurzegezagt-in a nutshell

2. https://morgridge.org/outreach/teaching-resources/virology-immunology/bacteriophage-fact-sheet/